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  • The Daily Brief: Wildfire After-Action Report Short on Blame, Diddy Back in Court Ahead of Sentencing, and more.

The Daily Brief: Wildfire After-Action Report Short on Blame, Diddy Back in Court Ahead of Sentencing, and more.

Your daily update is here.

Good Afternoon! It’s Thursday, September 25.

Sunny skies returned to Los Angeles on Thursday with moderate temperatures peaking at a high of 79°. Clouds are expected to return on Friday, bringing slightly lower temperatures along, expected to top out at 77°.

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LA County Wildfire Report Flags Systemic Failures but Avoids Blame

A new 132-page after-action report commissioned by the LA County Board of Supervisors reviews the response to January’s devastating wildfires that killed 31 and destroyed 16,000 structures. While praising frontline responders, the report cites outdated policies, inconsistent practices, and communication gaps that hampered efforts. It stops short of assigning blame, noting no single point of failure, as federal officials continue to investigate the fires’ origins.

Diddy Back in Court as Sentencing Nears in Mann Act Case

Sean “Diddy” Combs returned to a packed Manhattan federal courtroom this week, his first appearance since a jury convicted him on two Mann Act charges tied to prostitution. With sentencing set for Oct. 3, his defense team is pushing to dismiss the convictions, calling the law “outdated and racist,” while prosecutors argue for years behind bars. The hearing drew heavy media attention and impassioned support from family and friends, underscoring the high stakes as the hip-hop mogul awaits his fate.

LA County Launches Billboards to Boost Small Businesses After Wildfires

Los Angeles County has unveiled 23 billboards across high-traffic areas urging residents to support small businesses still struggling after January’s devastating wildfires. Part of the Shop Local LA campaign, the signs encourage Angelenos to dine and shop locally, directing them to a recovery directory that highlights fire-impacted businesses in Altadena, Malibu, and the Palisades. The effort aims to help local shops rebuild, keep employees working, and strengthen community recovery.

Amazon to Pay $2.5 Billion in FTC Settlement Over Prime Subscription Tactics

Amazon has agreed to a record $2.5 billion settlement with the Federal Trade Commission over allegations it used deceptive tactics to enroll customers in Prime and made cancellations difficult. The deal includes $1.5 billion in refunds for more than 35 million subscribers and a $1 billion civil penalty, while requiring Amazon to overhaul its Prime enrollment and cancellation systems.

Jimmy Kimmel Returns to ABC After Suspension Sparks Free Speech Debate

Jimmy Kimmel is back on the ABC stage after a six-day suspension over controversial remarks about a murder suspect tied to conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The fallout drew fire from Trump, scrutiny from the FCC, and sparked a national conversation about censorship and free speech. In his return, Kimmel addressed the controversy directly, offering an apology while also pushing back with his signature humor.

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